JP2010265640A - Power transfer-type electronic key system, method for supplying electric power to electronic key, and the electronic key - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power transfer-type electronic key system which can operate an electronic key by using a received high-frequency radio wave as a power supply, and can be simply constituted, a method for supplying electric power to the electronic key, and the electronic key. <P>SOLUTION: When a door handle knob outside a vehicle is touch-operated in the case that, for example, the power supply of the vehicle 1 is in an off-state, a car navigation system 27 puts a cellular phone T into a speaking state via a handsfree speaking system, and transmits a speaking radio wave Stp from the cellular phone T. The electronic key 2 receives the speaking radio wave Stp via an electric power collecting circuit 32, and performs various operations such as smart verification by using the speaking radio wave Stp as the power supply. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power transmission type electronic key system that operates a received radio wave as power of an electronic key, an electronic key power supply method, and an electronic key.

  In recent years, as a key system for a vehicle, an electronic key system (see Patent Document 1 or the like) that uses an electronic key that wirelessly transmits a key code (ID code) inherent to the key as a vehicle key has been widely used. When the vehicle receives the ID code transmitted from the electronic key, the vehicle performs ID verification. If the ID code of the electronic key matches the vehicle and ID verification is established, Allow or execute engine start. This type of electronic key system includes a wireless key system that requires button operation on the key side for ID code transmission, and a key operation-free system that automatically returns an ID code to a vehicle in response to a request issued from the vehicle. Etc.

JP 2008-231734 A

  By the way, this type of electronic key is used in a form of use, for example, stored in a pocket of clothes or stored in a bag storage bag, and needs to be downsized so that it can be stored in a wallet or the like in the future. However, as a method for reducing the size, for example, it is assumed that the battery is removed from the electronic key and the size of the electronic key is reduced accordingly. In this way, when the electronic key is battery-less, the power required when the electronic key performs radio wave transmission at the time of ID verification with the vehicle is, for example, the radio wave transmitted from the vehicle at the time of ID verification, that is, ID It is conceivable to obtain the received radio wave received from the vehicle during verification communication.

  In this case, the radio wave to be transmitted as electric power may be emitted as a high frequency radio wave if it is desired to obtain a large electric power. However, in Japan there is an output regulation called Radio Law for radio waves, and it is necessary to submit a license to use high frequency radio waves, so it is realistic to use high frequency radio waves as electric key power Not.

  Therefore, on the contrary, it seems to be sufficient to use low frequency radio waves. By the way, the main component of such a low-frequency radio wave is a magnetic field, but it is necessary to use a coil as an antenna for receiving it. However, since the received energy of the coil is proportional to the magnetic flux penetrating the coil winding, in this case, the coil area is increased or a magnetic core is placed in the coil, resulting in an increase in size or weight. Problem comes out. Further, if the coil is made small, it is difficult to collect energy, so that the transmission distance of the radio wave is shortened, and the communication is required for communication. In addition, the magnetic field has directivity, and in order to be able to receive signals in any direction, it is necessary to prepare coils for each of the three axes, and the problems of size and weight become more prominent.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a power transmission type electronic key system, an electronic key power supply method, and an electronic key that can operate the electronic key using a high-frequency received radio wave as a power source and that can also have a simple system configuration. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the present invention, the communication partner can be operated by an electronic key, and a communication terminal possessed by a user as a terminal other than the electronic key is operated by a hands-free wireless communication. In an electric power transmission type electronic key system in which an operation system is mounted on the communication partner, by transmitting a calling radio wave according to the hands-free operation system provided at the communication partner and at a timing when the electronic key is to be operated. A communication terminal activation means for activating the communication terminal by the calling radio wave, and collecting an output radio wave provided by the communication key that is provided in the electronic key and entering an activated state by the calling radio wave, and powering the output radio wave Power supply means for supplying the electronic key to the electronic key, provided in the electronic key, And summarized in that and a power management unit for operating the electronic key power based on obtained from the means.

  According to this configuration, as a premise, for example, an electronic key is used as a strap type of a portable terminal, and the two are carried by the user in a state where the two are close to each other. Subsequently, a call radio wave according to the hands-free operation system is transmitted from the communication partner, and the communication terminal is switched to the activated state by the call radio wave, and the output radio wave is transmitted from the communication terminal. When the electronic key receives the output radio wave, the electronic key operates using the output radio wave as a power source.

  For this reason, it becomes possible to operate the electronic key using high-frequency radio waves with high frequency (radio waves with high output) transmitted from the communication terminal as a power source, so that the key can be operated without increasing the size of the antenna of the electronic key. It is possible to allow the electronic key to receive sufficient energy for operation. In other words, the antenna of the electronic key appears to be electrically large, and the gain is increased to obtain a large amount of power. Therefore, even when the received radio wave is used as the power source of the electronic key, sufficient power is supplied to the electronic key from the received radio wave without increasing the size or weight of the antenna of the electronic key. Is possible.

  Further, as the high frequency radio wave that is used as the power source of the electronic key, an output radio wave that is transmitted from a communication terminal operated by a hands-free operation system is used. For this reason, since the hands-free operation system is also used in common with the power transmission type electronic key system, it is not necessary to prepare separate systems for each of these two systems. Therefore, if the power transmission type electronic key system is arranged with an existing technology, that is, a hands-free operation system as in this configuration, two systems are compared with the case where each of these two systems is prepared separately. It is possible to simplify the entire system configuration including it.

The gist of the present invention is that the communication terminal is a mobile phone.
According to this configuration, since the communication terminal is a mobile phone, a terminal that is likely to be always carried can be used as the communication terminal. For this reason, when adopting the system of this configuration, for example, it is not necessary to newly possess a communication terminal that is not likely to be carried normally, so it is possible to secure the high convenience and apply the invention of this configuration It becomes.

The gist of the present invention is that the output radio wave is a call radio wave transmitted from the mobile phone as a radio wave of a mobile phone network.
According to this configuration, since the output radio wave is the call radio wave of the mobile phone, the output radio wave is transmitted by a radio wave having a high frequency (for example, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band: 300M to 3 GHz) as in the mobile phone network. For this reason, when the output radio wave transmitted from the communication terminal is used as the power source of the electronic key, a high voltage generated from the high frequency received radio wave can be supplied to the electronic key as a power source.

  In the present invention, the communication terminal activation means is a trigger type that enters the calling radio wave transmission operation to activate the communication terminal when it is confirmed that a predetermined constant operation is applied to the communication partner. This is the gist.

  According to this configuration, since the call radio wave transmission format using the hands-free operation system is a trigger type, the call radio wave transmission is in a standby state when there is no trigger, and the call radio wave is transmitted only when there is a trigger. Take a state. For this reason, it is not necessary to always transmit the calling radio wave from the communication terminal, and thus it is possible to suppress the power required for the radio wave transmission of the calling radio wave as low as possible. Therefore, if the standby state is set for the transmission of the calling radio wave in this way, it is possible to save the power consumed by this system.

  In the present invention, when the electronic key receives an ID reply request transmitted from the authentication device of the communication partner, the electronic key is replied to the authentication device in response to the ID key. Smart collation for executing ID collation, and when the electronic key receives the output radio wave and enters a power-on state, the communication terminal starts an operation of transmitting the ID reply request, and the authentication device The gist is that a collation start setting means for starting smart collation is provided.

  According to this configuration, since the ID reply request is transmitted until the electronic key is turned on, it is not necessary to always send the ID reply request. For this reason, since it is possible to suppress the power required for the radio wave transmission of the ID reply request, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the power applied to this system.

  In the present invention, a hands-free operation system that can operate a communication partner with an electronic key and operates a communication terminal possessed by a user as a terminal other than the electronic key by hands-free via wireless communication is the communication partner. In the electronic key power supply method installed in the communication key, the communication terminal is activated by the call radio wave by transmitting a call radio wave according to the hands-free operation system at a timing when the electronic key is to be operated. The electronic key receives the output radio wave transmitted from the communication terminal that has been activated by the calling radio wave, supplies the output radio wave as a power source to the electronic key, and operates the electronic key based on the power source. This is the gist.

  In the present invention, a hands-free operation system for operating a communication terminal possessed by a user as a terminal other than itself by hands-free via wireless communication is mounted on its own communication partner and used as a key of the communication terminal. In the electronic key, a call radio wave is transmitted from the communication partner according to the hands-free operation system at a timing when the electronic key is to be operated, and the communication terminal transmits an output radio wave in response to the call radio wave. A power supply means for collecting the output radio wave and supplying the output radio wave as a power source to the electronic key, and a power management means for operating the electronic key based on the power obtained from the power supply means. This is the summary.

  According to the present invention, the electronic key can be operated using a high-frequency received radio wave as a power source, and the system configuration can be simplified.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic key system in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of an electronic key. The conceptual diagram which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of an electric power transmission system. The timing chart which shows the specific operation | movement content of an electric power transmission system. The timing chart which shows the other operation example of an electric power transmission system. The timing chart which shows the specific operation content of the electric power transmission system in 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of an electronic key. The block diagram which shows the specific example of the electric power transmission system in 3rd Embodiment. The timing chart which shows the operation | movement content of an electric power transmission system.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an electronic key system, a key authentication method, and a communication terminal embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 performs key verification by wireless communication with an electronic key 2 used as a vehicle key, and locks and unlocks the door lock and starts the engine on the condition that the key verification is established. An electronic key system 3 that permits or executes the above is provided. Further, the electronic key 2 is capable of narrow-range wireless communication with the vehicle 1, and transmits an ID code inherent to the electronic key 2 to the vehicle 1 by wireless communication to cause the vehicle 1 to perform key verification. A key that can be used. Furthermore, the electronic key 2 of the present example is a strap type that can be suspended from the mobile phone T, for example, and is a battery-less type that moves using received radio waves as power. The vehicle 1 corresponds to a communication partner, and the mobile phone T corresponds to a communication terminal.

  The electronic key system 3 includes a key operation free system that does not require individual key operations when an ID code is transmitted from the electronic key 2 as a key code. In this key operation free system, there is a smart entry system as a function that does not require a key operation when the door is locked and unlocked. In this case, the vehicle 1 is provided with a verification ECU 4 that performs key verification (ID verification) with the electronic key 2 and a main body ECU 5 that manages the power supply system of the vehicle 1. They are connected via a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) 6 that is one network. The verification ECU 4 includes an in-vehicle transmitter 7 that transmits radio waves in the LF (Low Frequency: about 134 KHz) band outside the vehicle, an in-vehicle transmitter 8 that transmits radio waves in the same LF band in the vehicle, and a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. As one type, a vehicle tuner 9 capable of receiving RF (Radio Frequency: about 312 MHz) radio waves is connected. Further, the door lock motor 10 is connected to the main body ECU 5 as a drive source when the door lock is locked and unlocked. The verification ECU 4 corresponds to an authentication device.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a communication control unit 11 that performs overall control of various operations of the electronic key 2. The communication control unit 11 includes a control IC (Integrated Circuit) having various devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 and a memory 13, and an ID code is registered in the memory 13 as a unique key code of the electronic key 2. Has been. The communication control unit 11 is connected to a key receiver 14 capable of receiving LF band radio waves and a key transmitter 15 capable of transmitting RF band radio waves. The communication control unit 11 sequentially monitors which type of radio wave is received by the key receiver 14 and manages the operation of radio wave transmission from the key transmitter 15.

  The verification ECU 4 intermittently transmits a request signal Srq in the LF band as an ID code return request from the vehicle transmitter 7 to form a vehicle communication area for the request signal Srq around the vehicle. , Referred to as smart communication). When the electronic key 2 enters the outside communication area and receives the request signal Srq, the electronic key 2 responds to the request signal Srq and sends the ID signal Sid carrying the ID code registered in its own memory 13 to the RF band. Reply with the signal. When the vehicle tuner 9 receives the ID signal Sid and the smart communication (external communication) is established, the verification ECU 4 compares the ID code registered in its own memory 16 with the ID code of the electronic key 2, So-called smart verification (external vehicle verification) is performed. When the verification ECU 4 confirms that this external verification is established, the verification lock operation is permitted or executed by the main body ECU 5. The request signal Srq corresponds to an ID reply request.

  The key operation free system has a one-push engine start system as a function capable of performing start / stop operation of the engine 17 only by a switch operation without requiring actual vehicle key operation at the time of engine start / stop operation. There is. In this case, an engine ECU 18 that manages ignition control and fuel injection control of the engine 17 is connected to the main body ECU 5 via a CAN (Controller Area Network) 19 that is one network in the vehicle. In the vehicle, a push momentary engine switch 20 is provided as an operation system of the system, and the switch 20 is connected to the main body ECU 5. In addition to the engine start / stop function, a power supply transition function is also assigned to the operation function of the engine switch 20. The main body ECU 5 is connected to an ACC (Accessory) relay 21 connected to an in-vehicle accessory, an IG (Ignition) relay 22 connected to various electrical components of the traveling system, and a starter relay 23 connected to an engine starter (not shown). Has been.

  When the collation ECU 4 confirms that the driver gets into the vehicle by, for example, a courtesy switch (not shown), this time, the in-vehicle transmitter 8 transmits a request signal Srq to form an in-vehicle communication area throughout the vehicle. When the vehicle tuner 9 receives the ID signal Sid returned from the electronic key 2 entering the in-vehicle communication area and the smart communication (in-vehicle communication) is established, the verification ECU 4 establishes the ID code and the electronic key 2 registered in itself. ID collation, so-called smart collation (in-vehicle collation) is performed by comparing the ID code. When the verification ECU 4 confirms that this in-vehicle verification has been established, the verification ECU 4 permits switching of the power supply state by a push operation of the engine switch 20.

  The electronic key system 3 includes a wireless door lock system capable of performing door lock locking / unlocking by remote operation by operating the buttons of the electronic key 2. In this case, the electronic key 2 is provided with, for example, a push button type locking button 24 and an unlocking button 25. For example, when the locking button 24 is operated, a wireless signal Swl including an ID code of the electronic key 2 and a function code (locking request code) for requesting the vehicle 1 to start a door lock locking operation is transmitted. When the ID verification of the ID code of the wireless signal Swl is established, the door lock is locked by the subsequent lock request code.

  The vehicle 1 and the electronic key 2 are called by the vehicle 1 to the mobile phone T to bring the mobile phone T into a call state, and the mobile phone T emits a radio wave (call radio wave Stp: 300M to 3 GHz) during the call. A power transmission system 26 is provided that operates the electronic key 2 using as a power. That is, the power transmission system 26 of the present example causes the mobile phone T to switch to the call state by calling from the vehicle 1, thereby causing the mobile phone T to transmit the call radio wave Stp as a radio wave having a frequency according to the mobile phone communication network. This is a system for turning on the electronic key 2 using the call radio wave Stp as power of the electronic key 2. The call radio wave Stp corresponds to the output radio wave.

  The power transmission system 26 of the present example is a hands-free call system in which a mobile phone T is connected to the vehicle 1 by narrow-band wireless communication such as Bluetooth (R), for example, and a call is made using a microphone or speaker mounted on the vehicle 1. It is a system that uses. In the case of this example, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a car navigation system (G-Book (R) compatible car navigation system 27) having a Bluetooth wireless function as an in-vehicle device of a hands-free call system. In addition, the mobile phone T is equipped with a Bluetooth communication function unit 28 that cooperates with the car navigation system 27 of the vehicle 1 by Bluetooth communication to construct a hands-free call system.

  The car navigation system 27 sequentially monitors whether or not the mobile phone T exists in the Bluetooth communication area in a situation where the power state of the vehicle 1 is ACC on or IG on. When the mobile phone T is brought into the Bluetooth communication area of the car navigation system 27, the mobile phone T (Bluetooth communication function unit 28) is automatically connected to the car navigation system 27, and the hands-free call system prepares for a hands-free call. State (standby state). In this hands-free call ready state, for example, when a call origination operation is performed in the car navigation system 27 or the mobile phone T receives a call, the hands-free call system starts from the standby state until then, and the hands A free call is executed.

  The car navigation system 27 is provided with a system control unit 29 that performs overall management of the system 27. The system control unit 29 is provided with a power transmission management unit 30 that manages the operation of the power transmission system 26 of this example on the vehicle 1 side. When the power state of the vehicle 1 is off, the power transmission management unit 30 causes the car navigation system 27 to transmit a calling radio wave Sce for activating the mobile phone T to a telephone call state using radio waves conforming to the Bluetooth standard. This calling radio wave Sce is a command for switching the mobile phone T to a calling state, in this example, to a state in which a call is automatically received and a call is started. The power transmission management unit 30 corresponds to a communication terminal activation unit.

  In addition, the calling method of the calling radio wave Sce in this example is a trigger method in which a user performs a certain operation on the vehicle 1 as a transmission condition. In the case of this example, for example, touching the outside door handle knob disposed on the outer surface of the vehicle door with a hand, or pressing the engine switch 20 by a user getting into the vehicle is set as a condition for radio wave transmission. Yes. For this reason, when the power transmission management unit 30 inputs the trigger signal Str that notifies that these operations have been performed, the power transmission management unit 30 starts transmitting the calling radio wave Sce. When the door locking / unlocking operation is performed outside the vehicle, the calling radio wave Sce reaches the mobile phone T located outside the vehicle at this time, that is, the power can be supplied to the electronic key 2. It is transmitted in a communication area large enough to leak.

  The mobile phone T is provided with a call control unit 31 that manages the call operation of the mobile phone T. When the mobile phone T receives the call radio wave Sce from the car navigation system 27, the call control unit 31 of this example switches the mobile phone T to a call state and transmits the call radio wave Stp from the mobile phone T. The call radio wave Stp is transmitted with a radio wave having a frequency (for example, about 300 M to 3 GHz) according to the mobile phone network, and is continuously transmitted for a certain time, for example. Further, the call radio wave Stp of this example is used as a power source for the electronic key 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic key 2 is provided with a power collecting circuit 32 that receives the call radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T and supplies it as a power source for the electronic key 2. The power collecting circuit 32 includes a receiving antenna 33 that receives a frequency in the band of the call radio wave Stp, a rectifier circuit 34 that converts the call radio wave Stp received by the reception antenna 33 from an AC voltage to a DC voltage, and the DC voltage value. A regulator 35 that maintains a constant value is provided. When the power collection circuit 32 receives the call radio wave Stp, the power collection circuit 32 converts the call radio wave Stp into a DC voltage that can be used as a power source for the communication control unit 11, and outputs this to the communication control unit 11 as a power supply voltage Vcc. The power collecting circuit 32 outputs the power supply voltage Vcc to the communication control unit 11 while receiving the call radio wave Stp by the receiving antenna 33. The power collecting circuit 32 corresponds to power supply means.

  The communication control unit 11 is provided with a power supply management unit 36 that manages the power supply voltage Vcc received from the power collection circuit 32. The power management unit 36 monitors whether or not the power supply voltage Vcc from the power collecting circuit 32 is received, and recognizes that the power supply voltage Vcc has been received when the input voltage exceeds the threshold value. When confirming that the power supply voltage Vcc has been received, the power management unit 36 switches the communication control unit 11 (that is, the electronic key 2) from the previously stopped state to the power-on state using this as a power source. Set key 2 to the operable state. The power management unit 36 corresponds to power management means.

Next, the operation of the electronic key system 3 using the power transmission system 26 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, it is assumed that the user unlocks the door lock of the vehicle door from outside the vehicle. When the power transmission management unit 30 detects that the outside door handle knob is touch-operated by, for example, a touch sensor embedded in the outside door handle knob when the vehicle 1 is powered off, the power transmission management unit 30 performs Bluetooth communication. The calling radio wave Sce is transmitted using a compliant radio wave. Since the calling radio wave Sce is set in a communication area that leaks out of the vehicle, it is transmitted so as to reach the mobile phone T outside the vehicle. Further, the call radio wave Sce is transmitted several times, for example, considering that it is affected by noise generated in the Bluetooth communication environment.

  When the mobile phone T receives the calling radio wave Sce, the mobile phone T switches from the stopped state to the call state and starts a call. As a call state in this example, the mobile phone T enters an automatic incoming call and starts a virtual call without designating a call partner, or a state where a call is made with a predetermined partner (for example, a service station of a vehicle manufacturer). The call state is continued for a certain time. As described above, when the mobile phone T enters a call state, a high-frequency radio wave that is a radio wave used by the mobile phone network, that is, a radio wave having a high frequency of about 300 M to 3 GHz in this example is generated around the mobile phone T.

  Since the electronic key 2 of this example is of the strap type of the mobile phone T, it receives the call radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T at a close range. At this time, the electronic key 2 receives the call radio wave Stp by the power collecting circuit 32 built in the key. When receiving the call radio wave Stp, the power collecting circuit 32 converts it into the power supply voltage Vcc of the electronic key 2 and supplies it to the communication control unit 11 as the power supply of the electronic key 2. When the power supply management unit 36 receives the power supply voltage Vcc from the power collecting circuit 32, the power supply management unit 36 switches the communication control unit 11 from the previous stop state to the power-on state using this as a power source. Keep on.

  In addition to the fact that the car navigation system 27 transmits the calling radio wave Sce via Bluetooth communication, the verification ECU 4 performs electronic communication in the outside communication area as an operation to be performed in smart communication when the vehicle 1 is parked. In order to confirm whether or not the key 2 is present, a wake signal (wake pattern) 37 is intermittently transmitted by the LF radio wave from the external transmitter 7 to form an external communication area of the wake signal 37 around the vehicle. Yes. Therefore, when the electronic key 2 receives the power supply voltage Vcc from the power collecting circuit 32 and is in the power-on state, when the electronic key 2 receives the wake signal 37 in the outside communication area, the electronic key 2 has been in the standby state until then. 2 switches to the activated state. When the electronic key 2 receives the wake signal 37 and switches to the activated state, the electronic key 2 transmits a first ACK signal 38 to the vehicle 1 by RF radio waves in order to notify the vehicle 1 to that effect.

  By the way, the verification ECU 4 repeatedly performs an operation (reception preparation operation) for confirming whether or not the vehicle tuner 9 accepts radio waves in accordance with the transmission of the wake signal 37, that is, in a polling cycle. This reception preparation operation includes a startup operation for starting up the vehicle tuner 9 and a radio wave content confirmation operation for confirming the actual radio wave content. When the verification ECU 4 receives the first ACK signal 38 in the reception preparation operation after the wake transmission, the verification ECU 4 determines that the electronic key 2 has entered the outside communication area of the smart communication. At this time, the verification ECU 4 finishes polling at the period when the ACK reply is accepted, and thereafter performs a reception preparation operation in accordance with the radio wave reply timing from the electronic key 2.

  When the verification ECU 4 receives an ACK reply to the transmission of the wake signal 37, the verification ECU 4 subsequently transmits the vehicle ID 39 as its own vehicle code from the vehicle transmitter 7 by LF radio waves. When the electronic key 2 receives the vehicle ID 39 with the key receiver 14, the electronic key 2 executes vehicle ID verification as confirmation of whether or not the vehicle ID is correct. As described above, the vehicle ID 39 is transmitted from the vehicle 1 to the electronic key 2 to cause the electronic key 2 to determine the type of the vehicle 1 because a plurality of vehicles exist around the electronic key 2 and smart communication is established therewith. This is because the smart communication is executed only with the regular vehicle among them even in the situation where the vehicle is in the state of being. When the electronic key 2 confirms that the vehicle ID verification has been established, the electronic key 2 returns a second ACK signal 40 to the vehicle 1 by an RF radio wave to notify the vehicle 1 to that effect.

  When the verification ECU 4 accepts an ACK reply to the transmission of the vehicle ID 39, the verification ECU 4 recognizes that the vehicle ID verification has been established, and then enters a challenge response authentication operation. Challenge response authentication is a type of authentication using encryption, and sends a challenge 41 from the vehicle 1 to the electronic key 2 to calculate it, and sees whether the calculated value takes a normal value on the vehicle 1 side. Authentication is performed. At this time, the verification ECU 4 transmits a challenge 41 composed of a challenge code and a key number from the outside transmitter 7 by LF radio waves. The challenge code is a random number that changes every time a call is made. The key number is a number (several bit data) related to the electronic key 2 registered on the vehicle 1 side.

  When the communication control unit 11 receives the challenge 41 by the key receiver 14, first, the communication control unit 11 collates the key number included in the challenge 41. Note that the key number collation on the electronic key 2 side in this way is also assumed that both a master key and a sub key exist around the vehicle, and if both of them perform smart communication at the same time, it will cause interference. This is to solve this problem. Upon receiving the challenge 41, the communication control unit 11 performs key number collation and confirms whether or not the communication control unit 11 is the communication target of the smart communication at this time.

  When the communication control unit 11 confirms that the key number verification has been established, the communication control unit 11 subsequently proceeds to create a response 42 to the challenge 41. At this time, the communication control unit 11 calculates a challenge code by adding a special calculation to the challenge code included in the challenge 41 using the encryption key registered in the electronic key 2, and generates this as a response code. Then, the communication control unit 11 transmits a response 42 including the response code and an ID code that is a unique ID of the electronic key 2 from the key transmitter 15 by RF radio waves.

  By the way, when sending the challenge 41 to the electronic key 2, the verification ECU 4 calculates this challenge code with its own encryption key and calculates the response code itself. Therefore, when the response ECU 42 receives the response 42 in the reception preparation operation after transmitting the challenge 41, the verification ECU 4 also verifies the response code of the electronic key 2 together with the verification of the ID code included in the response 42. And if collation ECU4 confirms that both ID code collation and response collation will be materialized, it will consider smart collation to be materialized and will permit or perform unlocking | locking of a door lock.

  Further, after the door lock of the vehicle door is unlocked, when the outside door handle knob is touched again, the same electric power transmission and verification operation as in unlocking is performed, and the vehicle door is locked on condition that ID verification is established. . Also, after unlocking the door lock of the vehicle door lock, when the driver gets on the vehicle 1 and pushes the engine switch 20, the same power transmission and verification operation as when unlocking is performed, subject to ID verification being established. The engine is started. Note that the power transmission and collation operations executed when the door lock is locked and when the engine is started are the same as those when the door lock is unlocked, and thus the details are omitted.

  In this example, a hands-free call system is used, and the mobile phone T is put into a call state by the system, and the call radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T at this time is used as a power source for the electronic key 2. For this reason, even if the received radio wave is used as a power source so that the electronic key 2 is battery-free, a high frequency radio wave can be used as the power source. Therefore, since it is possible to supply large electric power to the electronic key 2, the electronic key 2 can be operated with sufficient electric power. Further, since the power transmission system 26 is a system in which a hands-free call system is arranged, various components can be shared by these two systems. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the entire system configuration including the two systems as compared to the case of preparing individual systems for each of these two systems.

  Note that the calling method of the calling radio wave Sce is not necessarily limited to the trigger type, and may be a polling type as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The polling method is a method for automatically and repeatedly transmitting the calling radio wave Sce at a predetermined transmission interval. In this case, for example, when the power transmission management unit 30 detects that the power state of the vehicle 1 has been switched to the off state, the power transmission management unit 30 enters the calling state of the calling radio wave Sce and repeatedly transmits the calling radio wave Sce at regular intervals. Take action. Therefore, when the mobile phone T enters the communication area (outgoing area) of the call radio wave Sce, the mobile phone T receives the call radio wave Sce at the polling timing and enters a call state, and the call radio wave Stp is supplied to the electronic key 2 as power. Supplied.

  The polling of the calling radio wave Sce may be stopped for a certain time when the mobile phone T receives the calling radio wave Sce and enters a call state. When polling is paused in this way, the pause time is set to the time during which the mobile phone T is in a call state, that is, the time required for the ID verification operation of the electronic key 2, and after a certain time has elapsed. Polling resumes. In addition, the polling is not limited to being paused in this way, and the operation may be continued even when the mobile phone T receives the calling radio wave Sce and enters a call state.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The mobile phone T is switched to the call state by the on-board hands-free call system, and the call radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T at this time is used as the power source of the electronic key 2. For this reason, since it is possible to use a radio wave having a high frequency called the call radio wave Stp as a power source for the electronic key 2, a sufficiently high power source voltage Vcc necessary as a power source can be obtained without increasing the receiving antenna of the electronic key 2. Can be supplied to the electronic key 2. Therefore, even if a method of driving the electronic key 2 with received radio waves is adopted, the electronic key 2 does not run out of power. Further, the radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T that is in a call state by the hands-free call system is used as the high frequency radio wave that is the power source of the electronic key 2. In this way, if the power transmission system 26 is configured by arranging the hands-free call system, it is not necessary to prepare a separate system for each of these two systems. Therefore, the entire system configuration including these two systems can be achieved. It can be simple.

(2) Since the power source of the electronic key 2 is a reception radio wave, the battery can be omitted from the electronic key 2, and the electronic key 2 can be reduced in size by the amount of battery omitted.
(3) The power transmission system 26 is a system that uses the call radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T as the power source of the electronic key 2 during the operation of the hands-free call system. Therefore, since the power transmission system 26 of the present example is an arrangement of an existing system, it is less likely to take time and effort for implementation as compared with the case where the system is constructed from scratch. In addition, when the electronic key 2 receives a received radio wave as electric power, the mobile phone T only takes an operation of transmitting the call radio wave Stp according to the hands-free call system. Therefore, since this is an operation that is normally performed by the mobile phone T, when adopting the power transmission system 26 of the present example, special hardware is added to the mobile phone T or the hardware is changed. There is no need to do.

  (4) Since the mobile phone T is the communication terminal that supplies the radio wave that is the power source for the electronic key 2, a terminal that is likely to be carried by the user at all times can be used. For this reason, when using the power transmission system 26 of the present example, it is not necessary to force the user to possess a terminal that is not normally possessed.

  (5) Since the radio waves used by the mobile phone T specified by the Radio Law are allowed to have a high output, if the radio waves of the mobile phone T are used as a power source as in this example, the high output radio waves are used as a power source. be able to.

  (6) If the transmission method of the calling radio wave Sce is the trigger type, the transmission of the calling radio wave Sce is made to stand by in the situation where the transmission of the calling radio wave Sce is unnecessary, and only when the calling radio wave Sce needs to be transmitted. Can be set to the outgoing state. For this reason, since it is not necessary to always transmit the calling radio wave Sce, the power required for the radio wave transmission of the calling radio wave Sce can be minimized.

  (7) When the calling method of the calling radio wave Sce is a polling method, since the collation is completed before the user touches the door handle or the like, the user waits for the collation to be completed when the user opens the door. There is nothing.

  (8) Since the transmission method of the wake signal 37 (request signal Srq) is a constant transmission type that is always transmitted at regular intervals, for example, when a user who has a normal electronic key with a built-in battery approaches the vehicle 1 Can automatically execute smart communication.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, the transmission method of the wake signal 37 (request signal Srq) from the vehicle 1 (external transmitter 7, in-vehicle transmitter 8) is not the constant transmission type as in the first embodiment, and smart communication is not executed. In some cases, a transmission standby type is used in which the transmission of the wake signal 37 is stopped. In this example, the basic configuration other than the transmission method of the request signal Srq is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described. explain.

  The transmission method of the wake signal 37 in this example is a wake transmission standby type in which the verification ECU 4 performs polling with the power-on state, but the wake signal 37 (request signal Srq) is standby. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication control unit 11 of the electronic key 2 is provided with a collation start notifying unit 44 that instructs the collation ECU 4 to start the transmission operation of the wake signal 37. When the electronic key 2 is turned on by the call radio wave Stp, the verification start notifying unit 44 transmits a wake transmission start command Sak for instructing the start of the wake transmission operation from the key transmitter 15 with the RF radio wave, and causes the verification ECU 4 to The transmission operation of the wake signal 37 is executed.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 6, when the electronic key 2 receives the call radio wave Stp from the mobile phone T and switches to the power-on state, the verification start notifying unit 44 is in the verification ECU 4 in the wake transmission standby state. Wake transmission start command Sak is transmitted from the key transmitter 15 to the vehicle 1. The wake transmission start command Sak is a simple ACK signal, and is affected by noise generated in the smart communication environment, or reaches the vehicle 1 at the polling timing, for example, several times. Called. The wake transmission standby state refers to a state where the polling operation is performed but the transmission of the wake signal 37 is stopped.

  When the verification ECU 4 receives the wake transmission start command Sak by polling during standby for wake transmission, the verification ECU 4 recognizes that the electronic key 2 has been switched to the power-on state by the call radio wave Stp. When the verification ECU 4 recognizes that the electronic key 2 is in the power-on state, the verification ECU 4 determines that smart communication with the electronic key 2 can be executed, and executes the wake transmission that allows the wake signal 37 to be transmitted. The operating state switches to the state. Thereby, the transmission operation of the wake signal 37 is started at the timing of the next polling cycle, and the smart collation described in the first embodiment is executed. And if this smart collation is materialized, door lock locking and unlocking and engine starting will be permitted or performed.

  Therefore, in this example, the wake signal 37 is not transmitted under the condition that the power is not supplied to the electronic key 2, and the wake transmission start command Sak transmitted when the electronic key 2 is in the power-on state is issued. When the verification ECU 4 receives it at the time of polling, transmission of the wake signal 37 is started. For this reason, when it is not necessary to transmit the wake signal 37, it is not necessary to transmit the wake signal 37. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the electric power required to transmit the wake signal 37. Therefore, if unnecessary transmission of the wake signal 37 can be eliminated in this way, it is possible to save power in the vehicle 1 (that is, the in-vehicle battery).

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (7) described in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(9) Since the transmission method of the wake signal 37 (request signal Srq) is a transmission standby type in which the transmission operation is not performed when transmission is not necessary, only when the electronic key 2 executes ID verification with the vehicle 1 The wake signal 37 can be transmitted. Therefore, since it is not necessary to always transmit the wake signal 37, the electric power applied to the radio wave transmission of the wake signal 37 can be suppressed as low as possible.

  (10) When the transmission method of the wake signal 37 is the wake transmission standby type (example in FIG. 6), the transmission management of the wake signal 37 can be executed between the electronic key 2 and the mobile phone T. The car navigation system 27 does not have to be provided with a new function.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, the transmission method of the wake signal 37 is not the wake transmission standby type described above, but is a power-off type in which the power of the verification ECU 4 is turned off when the transmission of the wake signal 37 is not necessary. In this case, the above-described verification start notification unit 44 is provided in the system control unit 29 of the car navigation system 27. In this example, the Bluetooth communication function unit 28 and the verification start notification unit 44 constitute a verification start setting unit.

  When the mobile phone T receives the calling radio wave Sce and switches to a call state, the Bluetooth communication function unit 28 indicates that the mobile phone T is in a call state, that is, the electronic key 2 enters a power-on state by the call radio wave Stp. In order to notify this, the response radio wave Skk is returned via Bluetooth communication in response to the reception of the call radio wave Sce. The response radio wave Skk is a radio wave including contents for notifying the power transmission management unit 30 (car navigation system 27) by Bluetooth communication that the mobile phone T has entered a call state by the call radio wave Sce.

  When the power transmission management unit 30 confirms that the response radio wave Skk is received via the Bluetooth communication after the call radio wave Sce is transmitted, the electronic key 2 is switched on by the call radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T. recognize. Therefore, the power transmission management unit 30 outputs the activation notification K to the verification ECU 4 via the LIN 6 that is the in-vehicle network in order to turn on the verification ECU 4 that is in the power-off state. When the activation notification K is input, the verification ECU 4 switches from the power-off state until then to the power-on state by the activation notification K. As shown in FIG. 9, the verification ECU 4 transmits the wake signal 37 and the vehicle tuner 9 at this timing. And the smart communication with the electronic key 2 is executed.

  Therefore, as in this example, if the power-off type is adopted as the transmission method of the wake signal 37, the power of the verification ECU 4 is turned off under the situation where the power is not supplied to the electronic key 2, and the electronic key 2 is It becomes possible to turn on the verification ECU 4 when the power is switched on and smart communication is executed. Therefore, in the case of this example, when the wake signal 37 need not be transmitted, the power of the verification ECU 4 can be turned off, so that the power required for the verification ECU 4 can be reduced, and the vehicle 1 (vehicle battery) It is possible to further reduce power consumption.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (7) described in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(11) When the transmission method of the wake signal 37 is a power-off type (example of FIG. 8) in which the power of the verification ECU 4 is turned off, it is not necessary to supply power to the verification ECU 4 during the period when the smart verification is not executed. Therefore, further power saving of the vehicle 1 can be achieved.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
In the first to third embodiments, the output radio wave serving as the power source for the electronic key 2 is not limited to the call radio wave Stp transmitted from the mobile phone T. In short, any radio wave transmitted from the mobile phone T may be used. For example, a Bluetooth radio wave transmitted in accordance with a hands-free call system may be used as a power source.

  In the first to third embodiments, the activation (activation state) of the communication terminal is not necessarily limited to the call state of the mobile phone T. In short, if the mobile phone T is in a state of transmitting radio waves, its operation state (Mode) can be anything.

In the first to third embodiments, the call state is not limited to a state in which the mobile phone T automatically receives a call and starts a call. For example, the call state may be a search for a call partner, that is, a call waiting state.
-In 1st-3rd embodiment, a communication terminal is not limited to being the mobile telephone T, What kind of thing may be sufficient if it is a terminal which can transmit an electromagnetic wave.

  In the first to third embodiments, the calling radio wave Sce necessary for switching the communication terminal to the activated state is not limited to that exchanged by the hands-free call system, and other various radio waves can be adopted. .

In the first to third embodiments, the power collection circuit 32 may be incorporated in the key receiver 14.
-In 1st-3rd embodiment, the communication format used with a hands-free telephone call system is not necessarily limited to Bluetooth, You may employ | adopt various formats other than this.

In the first to third embodiments, the hands-free operation system is not limited to the hands-free call system, and may be applied to other systems.
In the first to third embodiments, the calling area of the calling radio wave Sce is not limited to the same range for both in-vehicle verification and in-vehicle verification, and the size of the transmission area is different for each. Also good.

  -In 1st-3rd embodiment, when the transmission form of the ringing electric wave Sce is made into a trigger type, the fixed operation used as the transmission condition at this time is not necessarily limited to the touch operation of the door handle knob outside the vehicle. For example, in a car, it may be a condition that the driver is seated in the driver's seat, and various operations can be adopted as the transmission conditions.

  -In 1st-3rd embodiment, both locking and unlocking of a door lock are not limited to making it an execution condition to touch-operate the door handle knob outside a vehicle. For example, the unlocking may be a touch operation of the outside door handle knob, and the locking may be a pushing operation of a lock button provided on the outside door handle.

In the first to third embodiments, the electronic key 2 is not necessarily limited to being battery-less, and may have a battery.
In the first to third embodiments, a configuration may be employed in which a capacitor is provided in the electronic key 2 so that electric power generated by the received radio wave is stored in the capacitor, and this electric power is used for communication.

In the first to third embodiments, the calling radio wave Sce may be transmitted in different formats depending on whether it is a polling system outside the vehicle or a trigger system inside the vehicle.
In the first embodiment, the mobile phone T that has received the calling radio wave Sce may notify the car navigation system 27 to that effect by returning a response to the system control unit 29.

  -In 2nd Embodiment, when the transmission system of the wake signal 37 is made into the wake transmission standby type (example of FIG. 6), the polling of the vehicle tuner 9 may be stopped when the wake transmission start command Sak is received. .

  In the first to third embodiments, when the calling radio wave Sce is of a polling type, the transmission interval of the calling radio wave Sce is not necessarily limited to be constant, for example, even if the transmission interval increases with time. Good.

In the first to third embodiments, the electronic key 2 is not necessarily limited to the strap type, and may be carried by the user alone.
-In 1st-3rd embodiment, the adoption object of the electric power transmission system 26 is not necessarily limited to the vehicle 1, and can be employ | adopted for various apparatuses and apparatuses.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(A) In any one of claims 1 to 5, the communication terminal activation means adopts a polling method in which the activation radio wave is repeatedly transmitted at a predetermined interval to always search for the communication terminal as a communication partner. According to this configuration, it is possible to automatically switch the communication terminal to the activated state without imposing a special operation on the operator.

  (B) In any one of claims 1 to 5 and the technical idea (a), the electronic key collation format is such that when the electronic key receives an ID reply request transmitted from the authentication device of the communication partner, In response to this, smart verification is performed in which an ID code is returned to the authentication device to perform ID verification of the key, and the authentication device repeatedly transmits the ID key return request at predetermined intervals. According to this configuration, since the ID reply request is always transmitted, it is possible to execute smart verification without imposing a special operation on the user.

  (C) In claim 5 or in the technical ideas (a) and (b), the collation start setting means is in a state in which polling for monitoring reception of radio waves is performed although the operation for transmitting the ID reply request is not performed. When the authentication device accepts the notification that the electronic key is turned on from the electronic key in the polling, the smart reply is executed by starting the transmission of the ID reply request. According to this configuration, it is possible to save power for the operation of the authentication device.

  (D) In claim 5 or in the technical ideas (a) to (c), the collation start setting means sets the authentication device in a power-off state when the smart collation is not executed, and the communication terminal When a notification indicating that the device has entered an activated state is received from the communication terminal via the hands-free operation system, the authentication apparatus is switched on to execute the smart verification. According to this configuration, it is possible to save power for the operation of the authentication device.

  (E) In any one of claims 1 to 5 and technical ideas (a) to (d), the electronic key has a strap type that can be attached to the communication terminal. According to this configuration, since the electronic key is attached to the communication terminal, it is possible to receive a radio wave transmitted from the communication terminal as a power source of the key at a closer distance.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle as communication partner, 2 ... Electronic key, 4 ... Collation ECU as authentication apparatus, 28 ... Bluetooth communication function part which comprises collation start setting means, 30 ... Electric power transmission management part as communication terminal starting means, 32 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Power collection circuit as power supply means, 36 ... Power supply management section as power management means, 44 ... Collation start notification section constituting collation start setting means, T ... Mobile phone as communication terminal, Sce ... Call radio wave, Stp ... Call radio wave as output radio wave, Srq ... Request signal as ID reply request.

Claims (7)

The communication partner can be operated by an electronic key, and a hands-free operation system for operating a communication terminal possessed by a user as a terminal other than the electronic key by hands-free by wireless communication is mounted on the communication partner. In the electronic key system
A communication terminal activation means for activating the communication terminal by the call radio wave by transmitting a call radio wave according to the hands-free operation system at a timing at which the electronic key is to be operated, provided at the communication partner;
A power supply means provided on the electronic key, for collecting an output radio wave transmitted from a communication terminal that has been activated by the calling radio wave, and supplying the output radio wave as a power source to the electronic key;
A power transmission type electronic key system, comprising: a power management unit that is provided in the electronic key and operates the electronic key based on power obtained from the power supply unit.   The power transmission type electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal is a mobile phone.   The power transmission type electronic key system according to claim 2, wherein the output radio wave is a call radio wave transmitted from the mobile phone as a radio wave of a mobile phone network.   The communication terminal activation means is a trigger type that enters the calling radio wave transmission operation to activate the communication terminal when it is confirmed that a predetermined constant operation is applied to the communication partner. The electric power transmission type electronic key system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the electronic key receives the ID reply request sent from the authentication device of the communication partner, the electronic key verification format returns an ID code to the authentication device in response to the ID response request. Smart matching to be performed,
When the electronic key receives the output radio wave and enters a power-on state, the electronic key includes a collation start setting unit that initiates a transmission operation of the ID reply request by the communication terminal and starts smart collation by the authentication device. The power transmission type electronic key system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The communication partner can be operated by an electronic key, and a hands-free operation system for operating a communication terminal possessed by a user as a terminal other than the electronic key by hands-free via wireless communication is mounted on the communication partner. In the electronic key power supply method
A communication that activates the communication terminal by the calling radio wave and enters an activated state by the calling radio wave by transmitting a calling radio wave according to the hands-free operation system at a timing when the electronic key is to be operated. An electronic key power supply method comprising: causing the electronic key to receive an output radio wave transmitted from a terminal, supplying the output radio wave as a power source to the electronic key, and operating the electronic key based on the power source. In an electronic key used as a key of the communication terminal, a hands-free operation system for operating a communication terminal possessed by a user as a terminal other than itself by hands-free via wireless communication is mounted on its own communication partner,
When a call radio wave is transmitted from the communication partner according to the hands-free operation system at a timing at which the electronic key is to be operated, and when the communication terminal transmits an output radio wave in response to the call radio wave, the output Power collecting means for collecting radio waves and supplying the output radio waves to the electronic key as a power source;
An electronic key comprising: power management means for operating the electronic key based on power obtained from the power supply means.

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